Flood ready? Red Cross app could help you prepare

The American Red Cross is now offering a new flood app to help save lives and reduce losses from floods and flash floods. Facebook photo

MADISON—The American Red Cross is now offering a new flood app to help save lives and reduce losses from floods and flash floods.The free app gives iPhone, iPad and Android smart phone users instant access to local and real-time information. The content is available in English and Spanish based on the user's languages settings on his mobile device. The app includes location-based, audible flood and flash flood watches and warnings—even if the app is closed.

The Red Cross app helps create emergency plans so all household members know what to do if flooding threatens. With audio alerts, people can be warned even when they are away from their radio or television.

Other features of the app include:

• One-touch “I'm safe” messaging that allows users to send a message letting family and friends know that they are out of harm's way

• Toolkit with flashlight, strobe light and audible alarm to lt others know where you are

• Locations of open Red Cross shelters

• Real-time recovery resources for returning home and cleaning up

• Badges users can earn through interactive quizzes and share on social networks

The app is the latest in the series of Red Cross emergency preparedness apps, which have been downloaded on nearly 4 million mobile devices. The expert advice in Red Cross apps, which also includes apps for first aid, tornadoes and wildfires, has been used to help save lives during disasters and medical emergencies.

The flood app, along with the others, can be found in the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store for Android by searching for American Red Cross or by going to redcross.org/mobileapps.

The nonprofit American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters, supplies about 40 percent of the nation's blood; teachers skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families.